Emergency relief in Nineveh, Northern Iraq

As of July 2017, more than 950.000 internally displaced people were identified as a result of military operations in Nineveh governorate, northern Iraq. Already one of the poorest parts of the country, the region of Tal Afar and Tel Kaif in Nineveh has been profoundly affected by recent conflicts, which also disrupted the primarily agrarian economy. With parts of the area still embroiled in heavy fighting, its population is threatened by neglect.

Since March 2017, Malteser International organizes the most urgently needed support with non-food items. Over a third of the communities has not received any assistance since the onset of the crisis. Many are unable to afford basic needs and the majority of communities cannot support themselves with income anymore. Sponsored by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), Malteser International and the local partner AMF reach out to underserved internally displaced people and vulnerable host communities and tempt to cover their imminent needs.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of most of Nineveh governorate in the period from June to August 2014. On 17 October 2016, military operations to retake Mosul from ISIL began, with civilians significantly impacted by the fighting.

The project focusses on the areas surrounding the towns of Tal Afar and Tel Kaif assisting a total indicative number of 7,000 direct beneficiaries, with a focus on inclusion of minority communities. It will provide a package covering imminent needs of non-food items and emergency hygiene supplies for the day-to-day survival and dignity of underserved IDP and host community families in hard-to-reach areas. With the majority of IDPs and refugees living out-of-camps, the humanitarian community is to re-double its efforts to identify and support those falling through the cracks of the response and into chronic impoverishment and extreme vulnerability.

The projects’ principal objective is for conflict-affected, underserved and neglected populations in newly accessible areas to meet their critical basic needs. The project aims to enhance first-line response functions in Tal Afar and Tel Kaif districts. Displaced and host community households will benefit from improved access to non-food items, including hygiene items.